Deb’s Story

Deb’s Story

Meet Deb Linne
Why did I start Crossfit? The simple answer is that I wanted to get in the “best shape of my life.”
I have struggled with my weight since I was 20 years old. Yo-yo diets, gains and losses of hundreds of pounds…all left me anchor-less. I had no center. I was full of tips and tricks…knowledge… but felt like I lacked “willpower” or “motivation,” or whatever that magic dust is that awesome people have. I believed the lie that I was lazy and undisciplined. It culminated in my being 222lbs and severely depressed in January of 2009. In what was truly a life or death decision, I put myself in the hands of a weight loss clinic, and lost 72lbs in 7 months. This was through strict caloric restriction and no exercise (you can’t exercise when you’re eating 800 cal/day). Long story short, it saved my life, but almost robbed me of my health. My hair was falling out, I had stopped menstruating, and I had a growth on my liver (ew!). I decided I had to find health, not just weight-control. I was lost at sea with my eating, knowing that caloric restriction was the only thing my body responded to, but that it wasn’t healthy.
Enter Sam and NorCo CrossFit. Out of curiosity, I met with Sam to “ask some questions” about CrossFit. I left completely convinced that it was THE way (even though he said I had to stop eating bread immediately). It was what I was looking for. I was going to start over for the last time. I began, totally focused on the fitness aspect, and quickly realized that fitness of the MIND is where it all starts. When the intro session using nothing more than a piece of PVC pipe left me sweating and unable to turn my head to the left or right, it dawned on me that this place wasn’t messing around. There would be no easy path. If I wanted this, I was going to have to have a come-to-Jesus about my heart, my attitude and my work ethic. What I didn’t know is that the forging of the spirit of the CrossFitter is by far THE most important part of the journey.
So, the last three and a half years have truly been a forging of my spirit. I have learned how to view my body as a functional tool that allows me to do things I never thought possible: climb mountains, ride horses, and keep up with my kids on top of lifting heavy barbells. And that strength of spirit has served me in my life outside the gym. This once passive couch potato is now up for any adventure that life has to offer! NorCo CrossFit and its people and coaches truly changed my life and opened doors for me to believe in myself as an athlete. I met the best friends of my life here. And although I still want to wrap the jump rope around my (or Sam’s) neck during DU wods, and the snatch still gives me nightmares, I know my journey is just beginning and I can’t wait to see what’s next. (And a HUGE thank you to Sam – I truly feel like you’re the brother I never had…both an obnoxious younger brother who tells me to get my head out of my ass on the reg; and a wise, kind, older brother who taught me how to shoot a gun.)